Our Travel Awards for 2025
Every year, travel leaves its mark on us in new and unexpected ways—and 2025 was no exception. From destinations that completely surprised us to experiences we’re still talking about months later, this year was filled with unforgettable moments around the world. Our 2025 Travel Awards are our way of celebrating the places that stole our hearts, the tours and activities that truly stood out, and the experiences that reminded us why we love to explore.
In this post, we’re sharing our personal favorites from the year—where we went, what we loved most, and the experiences we’d recommend again in a heartbeat. We also invited fellow creators to weigh in with their own picks, because some of the best travel inspiration comes from hearing what moved others. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply dreaming about future trips, we hope these awards spark ideas for future travel for you!
Who we are featuring:
These fellow creators (who we follow & love their content) share family friendly realistic travel.
Based in GA, Caroline shares family-friendly travel inspiration that shows parents it is possible to explore the world with kids.She highlights beautiful destinations, memorable experiences, and real-life moments from traveling as a family—making it both inspiring and relatable.
A family travel and adventure account run by Corina, a Swiss mom sharing real-life travel tips, outdoor adventures, and beautiful destination photos from Switzerland and beyond. Their feed highlights family-friendly hikes, scenic road trips, and fun travel moments with kids, making wanderlust feel achievable for other families too.
A U.S. family based in England is a family travel and adventure account. Focused on inspiring parents to rediscover a sense of adventure with their kids. They share real-life travel tips, micro-adventure ideas, and family-friendly experiences across Europe and beyond—showing that meaningful, memorable travel doesn’t always have to be big or complicated.
1. What destination surprised you the most this year? And why?
👉🏻Our Answer: Lake Lugano,Switzerland. I had been to Switzerland many times, but never been down to this Italian- speaking region. It is a completely different vibe than the rest of Switzerland - you truly feel like you are at Lake Como or some other part of Italy. We loved walking the promenade, hiking the two mountains (Take the funicular up to Mount Saint Salvatore and then hike down to Melide and catch the boat or bus back to Lugano for a really great morning!) We also loved taking a boat to Grandia, the cutest little fisherman's village that has adorable restaurants for lunch - and then walking from Grandia down the Olive Grove Path to Lido San Domenico - a hidden little gem where you can pay a few Euros to lay in sun loungers and swim in the amazing green blue water.
👉🏻Travel Squad Family: Colorado Trails Ranch in Durango completely surprised us in the best way. We booked it last minute, and it turned out to be our favorite U.S. family trip so far. It’s unplugged not because there’s no Wi-Fi, but because the kids never ask for it. Between horseback riding, ranch activities, the incredible staff, the chef’s food, and the way families naturally bond there, it felt like stepping into a simpler, happier version of childhood. We also enjoyed a few nights in Pagosa Springs before Colorado Trails, and it was so fun too!
➡️ Watch our reel on staying at the Colorado Trails Ranch
👉🏻Packed Again: Maybe I need to add two destinations here: Western Australia and Japan.
WA is just so vast, wild, and beautifully empty — it truly surprised me how untouched it still feels. And Japan… I loved the mystical atmosphere, that mix of urban energy and quiet traditions. We felt incredibly relaxed road-tripping for a month through the country.
2. What was your favorite family friendly hotel or rental you stayed in this year?
👉🏻Our Answer: Iberostar Waves Alcudia Park on the island of Mallorca. I am not typically an all-inclusive type of traveler, but this hotel might have changed that for me. The property was spotless, the rooms spacious for families with an amazing spacious balcony with sweeping ocean views, the rooftop hot tub and pools were incredible, and the entire hotel was geared towards families yet felt upscale. And the food - I had very low expectations for all inclusive food based on previous visits to AI properities in Mexico - but this place had great food and drinks that both kids AND adults loved. (The cocktails at the bar were also fantastic!). My kids loved the kids club, the foam party, the nightly song and dance entertainment, and my daughter even got called on stage to participate in the magic show! The BEST part was the pricet! For three nights we paid just 1300 Euros for a room that sleeps 2 adults and 2 kids (I put my other kiddo in a room with my mom and sister).
➡️ Read our Full Review on staying at this kid-friendly hotel in Mallorca - Iberostar Waves Alcudia Park
👉🏻Travel Squad Family: Our Tuscany villa was the highlight. Five nights with views of rolling hills, vineyards, olive trees, a beautiful pool, homemade pasta on-site, and the sweetest German Shepherd who became our kids’ little protector. It felt peaceful, private, and perfect for a family of five.
➡️Watch our reel on this dreamy Tuscan stay
👉🏻Packed Again: It has to be the Swiss Family Hotel – Hotel Saratz in Pontresina.
For years, our absolute favourite was the Märchenhotel in Braunwald — and it still is an amazing place, especially for kids up to about 10 years old. We’ve stayed twice and loved it each time.
But now that the kids are getting older, Hotel Saratz has taken the number-one position for us. With its own mini-golf course, a flow trail in the garden, an amazing pool area, and a fantastic playroom, it’s a paradise for families. And Pontresina in Graubünden is such an underrated gem.
In general, I have to add: any Swiss Family Hotels accommodation is a must when traveling Switzerland with kids.
➡️ Read our full blog on Best 9 Family Hotels in Switzerland: Where to Stay in Switzerland with Kids
👉🏻Our Micro Adventures: This is such a tough question because we loved so many of the places we stayed and it depends on the scenario why each was a favorite. I'll settle for sharing 2 favorites - one at the luxury bucket list end and one that was the absolute best bang for our buck and was the whole family's favorite trip of the year overall.
The first is the luxury stay - it's called the Falkensteiner Resort Lido in the Dolomites. This place is INCREDIBLE - it's all inclusive and includes childcare (we left them to play while we had an adult ski day), all your meals, the most comfortable rooms, incredible indoor and outdoor swimming pools, trampolines, a rooftop kids ski slope, saunas, and more!! The price tag matches the extravagant amenities, but we had the best two nights here and wished we could stay longer. The kids were in HEAVEN! (And so were we). You can find the link to this place here: https://booking.tpo.mx/XjlDGQ7u
The second is called Village Camping Santa Fortunata in Sorrento, Italy. We stayed here for 3 nights while we visited Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri, and Positano. The value here was unbeatable - we paid $100 per night in June and had the best time! The rooms are nothing fancy, but there is a restaurant and small grocery store in the area as well as a private beach front. Which, if you've been to the Amalfi coast, you'll know is a big money saver. They also have a pool - it's simple but the kids had as much fun here as any other pool we've been to. You can find this place here: https://booking.tpo.mx/HmCdmqss
➡️ Watch our reel to see more here
You can find a list of all our favorite family hotels here on my blog!
👉🏻Five Family Travels: In May this year, I took my 3 year old on a little holiday to Italy on my own. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, flew to Naples, got a ferry to the island of Procida, and stayed in Procida Camp & Resort, a a family friendly glamping site, not far from the beach. We stayed in an Airstream and I felt safe, empowered and super comfortable on an adventure with my toddler - a memory that will stay with me forever. We went to the beach, ate gelato, played in the swimming pool, and it is something I would 100% recommend. My only regret is - I didn't do it sooner!
3. What’s one experience, tour or excursion that you did this year that you highly recommend?
👉🏻Our Answer: Horseback Riding in Sienna, Tuscany. I have never been horseback riding before (!) and this was SUCH a fun way to meet locals and experience the beauty of tuscany in a different way. The tour was just outside of Sienna (we booked through Get Your Guide) and it was a lesiureslly 1 hour ride through vineyard and olive grove trees. We even got to taste the grapes (and the horses loved them too!). We booked this amazing experience through Get Your Guide.
Discover the beauty of Tuscany on horseback with this guided tour. Put on your riding boots and helmet and explore the rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, and local wineries.
👉🏻Travel Squad Family: The pizza-and-gelato cooking class we took in Florence was such a core memory for all of us. Hands-on, kid-friendly, and so much fun. The kids loved making their own dough and tasting everything fresh, and it was the perfect mix of culture, food, and family bonding.
👉🏻Packed Again: When we travelled Australia in September, we booked a manta snorkelling tour on the Ningaloo Reef. These tours are expensive, but we really wanted to try swimming with mantas — and maybe even spot a whale.
We got everything. We swam with manta rays, got lucky and swam with a whale shark, watched over 11 humpback whales splashing and showing off to a female with her calf, and during our snorkel stop we even observed dozens of reef sharks.
On the way back to port, a pod of dolphins escorted us home.
We’ve done our fair share of “okay-ish” tours around the world, but this one was epic. The crew truly wanted us to have an unforgettable day — and we did. I might even have shared a treat or two with them!
👉🏻Our Micro Adventures: To answer this question I had the whole family vote (without hearing what anyone else answered). And ALL three of my kids ages 11, 8 and 3 voted the same experience! It was also not what I expected them to say so it was fun to hear what stood out most in their minds this past year.
Their number one experience was this boat tour of Capri, Italy! We left from Sorrento and spent the day sailing on a semi-private boat. Our captain and tour guide were so good with the kids, we stopped to swim in three gorgeous spots with the most clear water I've ever seen, had time to get off and explore the island of capri, and got to cut the line to see the blue grotto. We also had unlimited drinks included and fruit served on the boat!
➡️ This reel shows how we fit this into a 3 day itinerary out of Sorrento
👉🏻Five Family Travels: We love adventure holidays, road trips, and experiences that can (occasionally) challenge us. This year, we went on a 2 week road trip around Morocco. We drove to the Atlas Mountains, and stayed in a traditional Berber lodge. We got to experience the local culture and food. It was a learning experience for the kids and one we will never forget. It was also family friendly! Their Instagram is @berber_family_lodge.
4. Out of all of the places you went, which are you most excited to go back to?
👉🏻Our Answer: 3 places immediately came to mind - and they are all in Italy (Pienza, in Tuscany, Lake Garda and Sardinia)!
But if I had to choose just one, i'd say Lake Garda. It’s Lake Comos less famous neigbor, and feels much more authentic. I felt like I didnt' have enough time to really explore it well - There are so many cute little towns and villages to explore! I'd love to go back with my mom and sisters for a girls trip in warmer months.
👉🏻Travel Squad Family: Colorado Trails Ranch, without question. We’re actually heading back in June, and we keep telling other families they need to experience it at least once. It’s one of those places that brings out the best in everyone...the kids, the parents, even the family dynamic. We can’t wait to be back on the ranch.
Saddle up for the family vacation of a lifetime 🤠
Swipe through to see 16 things that happen when you book a week at @coloradotrailsranch ⛰️
👉🏻Packed Again: This is a hard one… the world is wide and wild and there are still so many places we want to explore together. But going back to Japan would be wonderful.
We’d love to explore Okinawa, do some diving there, and maybe even enjoy a ski week up north.
👉🏻Our Micro Adventures: This is such a hard question!! I always want to go back to Switzerland, but we went 4 times last year so I think my answer will be Italy! We've taken the kids to Sardinia, Italy and Sorrento, but I want to explore the Dolomites and Puglia with them this summer. Or maybe my answer is Annecy, France - this was a top place this year too but we only spent 2 days here and I wanted more!
👉🏻Five Family Travels: We live in the UK - and I do believe that Cornwall has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We were very fortunate with the weather, and it felt like we were abroad. The kids went bodyboarding, swimming, rock pooling - and we walked along the cliffs. Cornish beaches feel like 'home' to us, packed with nostalgia, memories and amazing moments - come rain or shine!
5. Out of all of the travel experiences that you had this year, what felt like the biggest let down?
👉🏻Our Answer: Borough Market in London! You see people all over social media hyping up this market, but the walkways through the market are NARROW and there are SO MANY people cramming in that it just feels impossible with kids. I joke I would only send my worst enemies here haha. If you are going to attempt to go - try for when they first open on a weedkday. We also tried Portobello Road market and Camden Market and Camden market was the least crowded.
👉🏻Travel Squad Family: Disney World in the middle of July. The heat, the crowds, and the food weren’t our favorites...it was a lot. Of course, the kids absolutely loved it (they always do!), but for the adults it was definitely overwhelming. And, funny enough… we're actually going back tomorrow for our daughter’s birthday, so clearly we’re gluttons for punishment.
👉🏻Packed Again: I’d call it more “overrated” than a true let-down… but I have to say Raja Ampat. I almost can’t believe I’m writing this because the place is beautiful and the underwater world is stunning — and I say this with nearly 4,000 logged dives. But the rat problem on the islands really spoiled the magic for me.
If you had asked me this two years ago, my answer would definitely have been South Bali.
